On the persistence of mental health deterioration during the COVID-19 pandemic by sex and ethnicity in the UK: evidence from understanding society

Quintana-Domeque, C. and Proto, E. (2022) On the persistence of mental health deterioration during the COVID-19 pandemic by sex and ethnicity in the UK: evidence from understanding society. BE Journal of Economic Analysis and Policy, 22(2), pp. 361-372. (doi: 10.1515/bejeap-2021-0394)

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Abstract

We use longitudinal data from a representative sample of the UK and compare self-reported mental health, as measured by the GHQ-12 score, at three timepoints (2017–2019, April 2020 and March 2021), for the whole sample and by sex and ethnicity. Out of the 14,382 individuals interviewed in 2017–2019 and April 2020, 10,445 were interviewed again in March 2021. The mean GHQ-12 in April 2020 is 12.37 [95% CI: 12.22, 12.52] and in March 2021 is 12.36 [95% CI: 12.21, 12.51], above that of 2017–2019: 11.13 [95% CI: 10.99, 11.26]. We do not find evidence that the level of mental health goes back to pre-pandemic levels. In terms of inequalities, while the gender gap (mean difference between women and men) in mental health deterioration among White British is closing, there is no clear evidence that the ethnic gap (mean difference between ethnic minorities and White British) among men is changing.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This letter uses data from Understanding Society (Wave 9, April 2020 COVID-19 Study, and March 2021 COVID-19 Study). Understanding Society is an initiative funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and various Government Departments, with scientific leadership by the Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex, and survey delivery by NatCen Social Research and Kantar Public.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Proto, Professor Eugenio
Authors: Quintana-Domeque, C., and Proto, E.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Economics
Journal Name:BE Journal of Economic Analysis and Policy
Publisher:De Gruyter
ISSN:2194-6108
ISSN (Online):1935-1682
Published Online:15 February 2022
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2022 The Authors
First Published:First published 22(2): 361-372
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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